Back to some baseball, slightly disguised as some fishing, as we go around the horn for our All-Star infield.
1B – Rod Carew
MLB Notes: Just such a cool contact hitter as seven batting titles convey, including the exciting pursuit of .400 in 1977, winding up at .388. And how about 7 steals of home in 1970 and 17 for his career? Oh yeah, Rookie of the Year (1967) and AL MVP (1977), just a flat out exciting ballplayer.
Fishing Notes: I had a chance to hear and speak with fishing legend, Hank Parker, this winter and his observation was that the usage of the terms “rod” or “pole” depended on the region of the country. Guess I’m in the middle, so I use both and both are included on the squad (see Dick Pole, Pitching Coach).
Topps Card Notes: The card samples above show that Carew was All-Star caliber at two positions as his career was split roughly down the middle beginning at second base and finishing at first (also with the California Angels).
2B – Roy Smalley
MLB Notes: Kinda weird but I’ve long recalled watching Smalley hit a grand slam against the White Sox back in the 70s when televised games were more of a rare treat. Fast forward 40 years and with a little help from something called a search engine, I’m pretty certain that this blast truly did occur at Old Comiskey Park on June 25, 1978.
Fishing Notes: While I am much more familiar and a bigger fan of the bass with the bigger mouth, I just couldn’t pass this one up, made me feel clever.
Topps Card Notes: Much more renowned as a shortstop, Smalley did at least appear in 58 of his over 1600 games as a second sacker (had to make a concession for my shortstop, you’ll understand as you read on).
3B – Brooks Robinson
MLB Notes: A perennial Gold Glover and All-Star, Robinson’s glove work was most notably on display during the Baltimore Orioles 1970 World Series victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Fishing Notes: While I am a fan of what is called creek (rhymes with stick) fishing, some of the more sophisticated persuasion perhaps would do their casting in a stream or brook.
Topps Card Notes: No need to choose which team to represent for Robinson’s career when selecting the cards above. A 23-year career, all with one team, not going to happen anymore both in terms of longevity or loyalty.
SS – Ernie Banks
MLB Notes: “Mr. Cub” was a member of the 500 home run club back in the days when it was quite exclusive and featured some heavy hitters like Ruth, Aaron, Williams and Foxx. As a lifelong Cub, he also holds the record for most games played without a playoff appearance at 2,528.
Fishing Notes: Banks represents a shout out to those who take their lumps and catch their fish with boots on the ground rather than boats on the water.
Topps Card Notes: The bookends on the sample cards above come from 1975 and celebrated 25 years of Topps cards with a flashback of the league MVPs from 1951-1974. Banks is among those who went back to back (1958-59) and he did so on a pair of sub .500 clubs.
One final note regarding “Mr. Cub” before I sign off. You could very well be reading the Ernie Banks Jackson Outdoors blog as my Dad is a pretty big Cubs and Banks fan. Similarly, I tossed out the possibility of naming one of our kids Henry Aaron Jackson but I didn’t get the nod either. All good though, just like our All-Star crew. The guys who roam the outfield are up next and even though I am still not a fan of the 1973 institution known as the Designated Hitter, I did employ the roster spot to work in another fishing name. Hope you’ll stop by again. Talk to you later. Troy